Westchester Jewish Center, (WJC) an egalitarian Conservative synagogue on Palmer and Rockland Avenues in Mamaroneck, recently welcomed David Goldstein as the new Executive Director.

“I am very excited about the new perspectives and enthusiasm that he is bringing to our community, and I look forward to working with him,” said the congregation’s Senior Rabbi, Jeffrey Segelman.

A Westchester County native, Goldstein comes to WJC after serving in a variety of roles in the Jewish Community, most recently as the Assistant Executive Director of the Barry & Florence Friedberg Jewish Community Center in Oceanside. He previously held positions with Young Judaea Global and in the Boston Jewish community at the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Boston and Hebrew College, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education. David and his wife Melissa Braverman live in Riverdale and are the proud parents of two daughters: Ranya (16) and Adiella (9).

Goldstein succeeds Susan Lurie who is retiring and moving out of state after 17 years of extraordinary service to the WJC community.

Westchester Jewish Center, (WJC) also recently welcomed Adam Bender to the new position of Teen Engagement Director.

In making the announcement, executive director David Goldstein said, “We are pleased that Adam has joined the WJC family and will lead our continuing efforts to deepen the relationship between our young community members, their peers and the congregation.”

Born and raised in a north suburb of Chicago, Bender grew up involved in USY and the conservative movement. Following high school, he participated in the Nativ College Leadership Program in Israel and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Finance in 2016. Bender was most recently the Engagement Director at Temple of Aaron in St. Paul, MN, where he worked with youth programming and engagement for toddlers-young adult. This past summer, he served as group leader for USY on Wheels East. He loves to read, hike, and is a huge Chicago sports fanatic.

Bender will be succeeding Shoshi Rosenbaum, who is enrolling in rabbinical school full time. In her short two year tenure as Teen Engagement Director, she has built a strong program for teens.